KARACHI, October 8, 2026:
Public health experts have called for evidence-based policymaking, stronger research and institutional collaboration to improve healthcare governance in Pakistan at the first International Conference on Public Health Governance organised by Al-Kawthar University in collaboration with the University of Karachi.
The conference brought together more than 500 experts, academics, healthcare professionals and students to discuss public health policy, leadership and emerging challenges.
Keynote speakers included Dr Faisal Haider Zaidi of CHSU, USA, Prof Dr Amna Rehana Siddiqui, Professor Noreen Mujahid and Prof Dr Asim Jaffary of Aga Khan University.
Three parallel sessions examined climate change and health, digital governance, and traditional, complementary and integrative medicine. The digital governance session featured three papers based on Prof Dr Minhaj Qidwai’s five-S framework: Self, Society, State, Systems and Spirituality.
A panel discussion on “Future of Public Health Governance in Pakistan,” moderated by Dr Gazala Yasmeen, featured Dr Tanveer Raazi Ahmed, Prof Dr Minhaj Qidwai and Prof Dr Hakim Jokhio.
The panellists called for reforms in the bureaucratic system to bring tangible improvements to people’s lives. They also proposed establishing an advisory group to promote public health as a shared societal responsibility and develop a roadmap for future action.
Vice Chancellor of Al-Kawthar University Prof Dr Athar Mehboob reaffirmed the university’s commitment to public health advocacy, research and collaboration. Shields and certificates were presented to guests and speakers.
The organisers acknowledged ATCO Laboratories, the Youth Development, Education and Sports Society of the University of Karachi, and the Pakistan Islamic Medical Association for their contributions to the conference.
